The Moon's Largest Basin

Image Credit:
NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

Published:
November 8, 2017

A view of the Moon's largest impact feature, the South Pole–Aitken basin, based on images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The South Pole–Aitken basin is so named because it stretches between Aitken crater and the south pole. The orthographic projection here centered on the basin (53°S, 191°E) highlights how much of the lunar farside was affected by this ancient impact event. A new study investigates the duration of volcanism within the basin; learn more at: http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/posts/985